Mission of the church

The power and authority of the church’s mission

Believers are sent out by Jesus Christ

John 15:16 ESV

16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you.

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Believers are given authority by Jesus Christ

Luke 9:1 ESV

1 And he called the twelve together and gave them power and authority over all demons and to cure diseases,

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Believers continue Jesus Christ’s mission

John 20:21 ESV

21 Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.”

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Believers are empowered by the Holy Spirit

Acts 1:8 ESV

8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

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The task of the church in mission

Making disciples

Matthew 28:19–20 ESV

19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

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Preaching and healing

Luke 9:2 ESV

2 and he sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal.

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Proclaiming the gospel

Acts 20:24 ESV

24 But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.

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Bearing witness to Jesus Christ

Acts 5:30–32 ESV

30 The God of our fathers raised Jesus, whom you killed by hanging him on a tree. 31 God exalted him at his right hand as Leader and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. 32 And we are witnesses to these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him.”

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Bringing honour to God

Ephesians 3:10–11 ESV

10 so that through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. 11 This was according to the eternal purpose that he has realized in Christ Jesus our Lord,

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The universal scope of the church’s mission

Luke 24:47 ESV

47 and that repentance for the forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem.

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The church reaching out in mission

To the Jews

The disiples’ mission began with the Jews.

See also ; The scattered believers at first preached only to Jews.

To the Samaritans

Acts 8:4–8 ESV

4 Now those who were scattered went about preaching the word. 5 Philip went down to the city of Samaria and proclaimed to them the Christ. 6 And the crowds with one accord paid attention to what was being said by Philip, when they heard him and saw the signs that he did. 7 For unclean spirits, crying out with a loud voice, came out of many who had them, and many who were paralyzed or lame were healed. 8 So there was much joy in that city.

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To the Gentiles

Paul as the apostle to the Gentiles:

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Peter preaches to Cornelius and his family; Scattered believers preach to the Gentiles; Paul begins his first missionary journey (with Barnabas); Paul begins his second missionary journey (with Silas); Paul is called to preach the gospel in Macedonia; Paul’s third missionary journey; Paul preaches the gospel in Rome.

Missions undertaken by church officials

Barnabas is sent to Antioch to strengthen the new church.

Paul and Barnabas take gifts to Jerusalem:

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Judas and Silas are sent to Antioch with a letter from the apostles and elders.